General Atomics

NCA investigation leads to Border Force seizing £1m at Heathrow

As a result of a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation, a man has been charged with money laundering after the seizure of £1 million in suitcases by the UK's Border Force at Heathrow Airport.



Image courtesy NCA

Mazen Al Shaar, 48, was stopped by Border Force officers on Saturday and the money was seized.

Al Shaar, from Hayes, Middlesex, was due to fly to Beirut. He appeared at appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Monday. A bail application was refused and he was remanded in custody to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on the 17th April for a pre-trial plea hearing.

Andy Noyes, NCA branch commander, said: “So many of the serious and organised crime threats facing the UK are driven by offenders’ desire for money.

“This detection of £1 million was because of brilliant work by Border Force officers which has now sparked our investigation.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: "This seizure highlights Border Force’s dedicated efforts to protect our borders and keep the public safe. Our officers are trained to spot suspicious behaviour and identify attempts to move illicit cash and other prohibited items across our borders.

"We continue to work closely with law enforcement partners, including the NCA to disrupt criminal networks."

Related

Air Arabia launches Gatwick-Sharjah route as airport network grows
The launch of Air Arabia’s new twice-daily service to London Gatwick from Sharjah (SHJ) in the United Arab Emirates
Air Arabia launches Gatwick-Sharjah route as airport network grows
The inaugural flight between the two airports took place on 4 July, a four month delay to the originally slated start date of March 2026 owing to the war in Iran. 
Aerospace

6 Jul 2026

Trescal expands UK and Ireland support for aerospace and defence
Trescal calibration services in the UK
Trescal expands UK and Ireland support for aerospace and defence
Trescal has expanded its laboratory network and technical services across the UK and Ireland, strengthening support for aerospace and defence customers operating in regulated environments.
 EasyJet signals support for £5.5bn Castlelake takeover offer following improved bid 
Easyjet Airbus A320neo
 EasyJet signals support for £5.5bn Castlelake takeover offer following improved bid 
EasyJet has agreed in principle to a £5.5bn takeover by Castlelake after an improved offer, paving the way for a formal bid in August.
Aerospace

6 Jul 2026

Trescal expands UK and Ireland support for aerospace and defence
Trescal calibration services in the UK
Trescal expands UK and Ireland support for aerospace and defence
Trescal has expanded its laboratory network and technical services across the UK and Ireland, strengthening support for aerospace and defence customers operating in regulated environments.
Babcock wins two Enginuity Skills Awards for UK engineering talent
Babcock apprentices learning nuclear safety
Babcock wins two Enginuity Skills Awards for UK engineering talent
Babcock has been recognised at the Enginuity Skills Awards 2026 for its work to develop engineering talent and create new routes into defence manufacturing careers.
Defence Member News

6 Jul 2026

Red Arrows salute America at 250 with spectacular New York flypast
Red Arrows fly over the Statue of Liberty during US 250th celebrations on July 4
Red Arrows salute America at 250 with spectacular New York flypast
The RAF Red Arrows joined military aircraft from around the world for a spectacular flypast over New York Harbor celebrating the US 250th anniversary.
Defence

6 Jul 2026

Airbus UK to build Aeolus-2 weather satellite for Europe’s next forecasting leap
Aeolus 2 by Airbus UK
Airbus UK to build Aeolus-2 weather satellite for Europe’s next forecasting leap
Airbus Defence and Space UK has been authorised to begin building Aeolus-2, a next-generation ESA and EUMETSAT weather satellite designed to deliver global wind measurements for more accurate forecasting, aviation operations and climate monitoring.
Space

6 Jul 2026

BAE Systems’ Endura demos radiation-hardened capability for space missions
BAE Systems’ Endura demos radiation-hardened capability for space missions
BAE Systems has successfully demonstrated the ability of its Endura system-on-chip (Soc) space processor…
Space

29 Jun 2026

BAE Systems to build high-res imagery satellites for Vantor
BAE Systems to build high-res imagery satellites for Vantor
BAE Systems has entered into an agreement to build high-resolution imaging satellite buses for Vantor, a provider of unified spatial intelligence from space to ground.
Space

25 Jun 2026

Smiths Detection completes transition to CVC Capital Partners
Smiths Detection completes transition to CVC Capital Partners
Smiths Detection completes transition to CVC Capital Partners
Smiths Detection has completed its transition from Smiths Group to CVC Capital Partners (CVC), a private markets investment firm.
Aerospace Security

1 Jul 2026

Serbus acquires Westica
Serbus acquires Westica
Serbus acquires Westica
Provider of secure Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) networking and communication solutions, Serbus, has acquired Westica Communications Limited (Westica), for an undisclosed sum.
Defence Security

30 Jun 2026

CAA warns of risks posed by incorrectly packed batteries
Pack right. Safe Flight. CAA
CAA warns of risks posed by incorrectly packed batteries
Ahead of the big summer getaway where over 60 million people are expected to…
Aerospace Security

26 Jun 2026